Scobee, Parmele keep up replacement ref criticism

Wednesday

Sep 26, 2012 at 7:46 PM

Vito Stellino

In the minutes after replacement officials awarded Seattle a controversial victory over Green Bay late Monday night, the two Jaguars who expressed disappointment via Twitter were kicker Josh Scobee and running back Jalen Parmele.

They didn't run away from their criticism Wednesday morning in the Jaguars locker room at EverBank Field.

"It might be a tipping point," Scobee said of the game-ending call that should have been a Packers interception. "The league is going to feel a bit more pressure to come to a resolution with the real referees. With 'Monday Night Football' being that big of a stage, I believe that's as big as it's going to get in terms of the scrutiny that will be put on the replacement refs.

"As professional football players, we deserve to have the very best out there because some things can go wrong and they might not be ready for it. … I'm just glad we're not Green Bay."

Said Parmele: "It was frustrating to watch as a player because you would hate to have it happen to your team. That game could cost a team their whole season."

The Jaguars haven't encountered a flash-point situation in three games with replacement officials, but Scobee had a disagreement during the Indianapolis game. Scobee said officials had him kick different "K" footballs - it's common practice for each kicker to use the same ball during a game.

"With the regular refs, they know exactly how kickers want the same ball in the game every time - if you switch the footballs in and out, it won't go as far," he said. "I always ask and [the official] actually laughed and then got mad at me for getting mad at him. It did get me upset. My kickoffs were not very good as a result. Their kickoffs were good."

Echoing a concern for most players and coaches, Parmele said: "It seems every week, there's another controversial call instead of progressing and getting more consistent. It needs to take a bigger leap."

Coach Mike Mularkey was typically diplomatic when asked about losing a game because of a bad call. He related a season-opening loss to Jacksonville because of a no-call on the Jaguars that ultimately cost Buffalo a playoff berth.

"It can affect future games if you let it [linger]," Mularkey said. "But it definitely gives you some experience if that happens to you again."

Britton nears returnOut since the Minnesota game in Week 1 with a sprained left ankle, left guard Eben Britton took a major step Wednesday, participating in his first practice albeit in a limited role.

"Have a great week and hopefully be able to get out there on Sunday," he said beforehand. "It [stinks] not being able to go out and compete with the guys. It's a horrible feeling. But it's much easier than the last couple years when I've been on [injured reserve], knowing I had to wait so long. These last couple weeks, knowing I would be able to get back on the field, that's kept me positive."

Britton missed 21 games the previous two years because of shoulder and back injuries. Early last week, the Jaguars were hopeful Britton could return.

"There weren't any setbacks; it just wasn't progressing as well as we hoped it would," he said. "You just have to work through it and that's what we did. … You have to fight through some pain, but if you can compete and play at a high level, you're good to go."

Jennings, Bradfield, others are full goThe Jaguars' good injury news was not limited to Britton. Right tackle Cam Bradfield (ankle), defensive end Austen Lane (foot), cornerback Kevin Rutland (concussion) and running backs Rashad Jennings (knee) and Montell Owens (concussion) went through the full practice. Mularkey said Rutland, Owens and receiver Laurent Robinson (concussion) were cleared by doctors. The Jaguars opted to give Robinson another day of rest. Center Brad Meester and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu had the day off from contact.

ryan.ohalloran@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4401

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